| Actual Image
Black-tailed Skimmer female (46)
carper
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (8424) | Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
Well distributed, has benefited from the gravel pits and grazing by cattle which creates bare ground. Only recorded at standing water bodies.
Spotting: Often confused with the Broad-bodied Chaser, the Black-tailed Skimmer is characterised by a blue abdomen in the males with a black tip, orange patterns down the sides and a lack of basal black markings on the hind wings. The confusion with the Broad-bodied Chaser is often made over the colouration, but when observed in their respective habitats, there are clear differences.
This species favours sites with bare, trampled ground. When hunting, they make skimming flights over water, very close to the surface and will clash with other males where their territories meet. They can often be observed flying vertically upwards when "fighting" other males.
Females are seen less often, preferring to spend their time in fields and areas away from the water. Their yellow and black-banding colouration is similar to immature specimens of both sexes, such that it is not reliable to sex an immature in the field.
My insect season was starting very late throug the very long cold days and the long waiting on summer. well summer is here now, and i did try for a few shots, that was not easy because they are young and fresh and they don't want on the photo. well I tried a fiew times and I hope you like it.
gr. jaap |
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